Kamala Harris’s Stances on Key Issues
Abortion
Kamala Harris supports legislation that would protect the right to abortion nationally, akin to the protections previously provided by Roe v. Wade. Following the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision that overturned Roe in 2022, she became a key figure in the Biden administration’s efforts to highlight the importance of abortion rights. In March, she made a historic visit to an abortion clinic, becoming the first vice president to do so. Throughout her Senate tenure, she consistently supported abortion rights, including cosponsoring legislation to prevent state-level restrictions on abortion services.
Climate Change
Harris has been a strong advocate for the Biden administration’s climate initiatives, supporting legislation that provides significant funding for renewable energy and electric vehicles. She has emphasized the urgency of addressing climate change, linking it to both environmental and economic benefits. During her 2020 presidential campaign, she focused on environmental justice, advocating for policies that address the disproportionate impact of climate change on low-income communities and people of color.
Democracy
Harris has been a vocal advocate for voting rights, leading efforts to pass legislation aimed at countering restrictive voting laws in Republican-led states and addressing issues like gerrymandering and campaign finance. Despite these efforts being blocked in the Senate, she continues to meet with voting rights advocates and strategize on protecting electoral integrity. Harris has also condemned attempts to overturn the 2020 election results, emphasizing the importance of maintaining democratic principles.
Economic Policy
Harris has promoted various aspects of the Biden administration’s economic agenda, including the infrastructure bill, support for small businesses, and initiatives to combat climate change through job creation in the renewable energy sector. She has also emphasized policies that address income inequality, such as proposing a tax credit for middle- and low-income families during her Senate tenure.
Immigration
As vice president, Harris has focused on addressing the root causes of migration from Latin America, securing substantial pledges from private companies to support communities in Central America. She has visited the U.S.-Mexico border to highlight the humanitarian aspects of immigration and has supported bipartisan border security measures, although these efforts have faced political challenges.
Israel and Gaza
Harris has called for an “immediate cease-fire” in Gaza and emphasized the need to eliminate threats posed by Hamas while addressing the humanitarian crisis faced by Palestinians. She supports a two-state solution and has expressed opposition to an Israeli invasion of Rafah, stressing the lack of viable options for displaced Palestinians.
Racial Justice
Racial justice has been a central theme in Harris’s political career. She has advocated for ending mandatory minimum sentences, cash bail, and the death penalty, which disproportionately affect people of color. Following the killing of George Floyd, she introduced the Justice in Policing Act, aimed at increasing accountability for police misconduct and requiring training on racial profiling, although the legislation has not been passed.